There's been a ton of speculation and rumor regarding the controller for Project Cafe (if it's real). While the rumors and stories have been interesting, I can't help but look at the mockups and think that this thing is going to be A) ugly and B) incredibly uncomfortable, unless.....

All the mockups and ideas are wrong.  What if the controller has no physical buttons at all.  Before you start saying that you don't want touchscreen only controls (I don't either), bear with me. Early last year, I heard from a "source" that Nintendo was researching haptic feedback technology for screens. We both made the assumption that it was for the 3DS.  Obviously, that was incorrect.  But, if they were researching this for the Cafe controller, imagine the possibilities. You could theoretically create any button configuration needed. They may even be able to simulate the 3DS analog nub. This would allow them to recreate the analog setup from either the 360 or the PS3, the bean button layout of the Gamecube controller, or any other layout imaginable.

Additionally, this could open up interesting gameplay ideas.  Supposedly, haptic feedback of this nature is able to simulate different textures, such as fabric, sandpaper, etc.  A Cafe version of Professor Layton could use dozens of different ideas for this alone. The possibilities are mind-boggling.

Now, I'm not saying this is what's going to happen, or if the technology is even feasible yet, but I think it is at least an fascinating theory.

My theory, when Nintendo actually introduces their next system people will be shocked because it will be entirely different from the rumours

So this is how rumors get started...

See the wii remote prototype above? What if you could rotate part of the remote to be able to see the screen? Just like some cellphones.

It sure will.

The people who were whining about motion controls being inferior and 'casual' are jumping on these rumours and trying to convince themselves that Nintendo is abandoning them for dual analogs. That would basically be a step backwards.

Can't wait to see their reactions when an upgraded Wiimote and nunchuk comes out as the main controller.

Hypothetically speaking, I could see Nintendo abandon the Wiimote and Nunchuck but only if Nintendo needed something radically different; but I couldn't see them moving backwards to producing a controller like the one that is suggested. In many ways this rumour is like suggesting that Sony would use DVD for the PS4, or that Microsoft will make their next home console ofline only.

Definitely this.

Having a different "pad" for each game isn't practical at all. People like to get used to just one setup and they're good to go.

Having to be constantly looking at the controller to see were the new button placement is just won't work.

That haptic thing sounds promising.

Ask yourself that.

Would you put a different button set up for each game you play if you could? I wouldn't.

Take a look a this Novint Haptic Controller, referred in the article you posted. Looks awesome, to bad you can't just grab it and hold it in your hands like a confortable controller.

If thats true, just wait for a game were you can haptically feel boobs. Japan dominance incoming.